The perfect balance between Galapagos exploration and modern comfort

THE VESSEL

The Santa Cruz II was conceived for operations in remote areas (as it was originally commissioned for expedition cruises in Patagonia/Chile). This vessel offers the perfect mix of comfort, style and safety for a remote area like the Galapagos Islands. As one of the newest vessels in Galapagos, the Santa Cruz II is capable of welcoming up to 90 guests with the optimal means for exploring the islands in contemporary style. Flexible cabin arrangements are available for any type of group –including solo travelers – and its intelligent and ample social areas give guests room to find their own space on their Galapagos journey. Guests will also get to enjoy all Park-approved aquatic activities, including a proper glass-bottom boat! Dine inside or grab a quick BBQ snack on the outdoor terrace. The crew aboard the Santa Cruz II loves to indulge guests with exceptional onboard service!

DOCTOR ONBOARD

Our Galapagos Cruise has an onboard Medical Officer (M.D.) and a well-equipped infirmary that’s available 24/7. So don’t worry about a thing, we’re at the ready if you need any help!

EXCLUSIVE VISITOR SITES

Discover the Enchanted Isles the same way the early explorers did with no other boats in sight! 99% of the visitor sites we tour and explore are not shared with other Galapagos cruises.

MULTI-GUIDED

By having four expert Naturalist Guides as part of the Crew, guests will find themselves treated to smaller expedition groups (around 12 guests per guide) and more activity options.

MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES

Each site visit includes a variety of activities for our guests to choose from, so everyone can enjoy their activity of choice simultaneously.

EXPEDITION FOCUS

Santa Cruz II prioritizes exploration through guided tours of the top islands and visitor sites in Galapagos.

A LOW-IMPACT YACHT

Modern engine technology allows for lower fuel consumption. Onboard water desalination and treatment plants help preserve the precious seas of the Galapagos Islands. Recycling waste and efficient energy use are also an integral part of our navigation.

DECKS

Santa Cruz II’s modern, generous social areas – laid out with choice contemporary materials – are found on four of its five decks. With an intelligent layout, including wide hallways and broad stairwells, guests will immediately know their way around this vessel. From dining areas indoors and out, the fitness room and hot tubs, to the elegant bar and lounge, not to forget the well-stocked library, the ship is designed to please with its sophisticated simplicity. Each passenger will find their own special space aboard, as the ship offers one of the top 5 (3:2) guest-space ratios of all Galapagos passenger vessels, guaranteeing quality individual attention.

CABINS ABOARD THE SANTA CRUZ II

The Santa Cruz II’s Swedish-designed cabins reflect the latest in cruise trends. Comfortable spaces and large picture windows illuminate the interior areas and allow guests to take in the views, offering elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. The ship has 50 cabins for 90 guests. Families and groups will benefit from the flexible design, which allows 36 of the cabins to be interconnected. Solo travelers can occupy a double room with a mere 15% surcharge, which is well below the Galapagos standard of 100%. Explorer Cabins are located on the Expedition, Horizon, and Panorama Decks.

GALAPAGOS ITINERARIES

The Santa Cruz II’s excellently-crafted itineraries allow for some of the best-in-class wildlife and island coverage in Galapagos. Around 99% of excursions take place at exclusive visitor sites too, meaning guests will often have entire areas to themselves. Multiple naturalist guides on the Santa Cruz II also means that guests have the added freedom to choose from a wider range of activities on each day of their itinerary. Safety and sustainability are both at the forefront of the Santa Cruz II, with a 24-hour onboard Medical Officer onboard and its own water treatment plant. This is also one of the few vessels in Galapagos that comes equipped with plenty of definitive exploration tools (dinghies, kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, etc.) that you’ll need to experience Galapagos properly, including a glass-bottom boat!
Itineraries map

DAY BY DAY

DAY 1

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Baltra Island
You will land in Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then take a guided transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. First, an introductory briefing onboard and then enjoy a delicious lunch.

Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)
The lagoons at this beach serve as the feeding grounds of various wading birds. Afterward, we head back aboard for a welcome cocktail and an expedition briefing.

Boat Trip

DAY 2

Santiago Island

Buccaneer Cove
After breakfast, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs. Here, we have the chance to go snorkeling or take a ride on a dinghy or glass-bottom boat.

Puerto Egas
After disembarking, you will get to enjoy a swim or snorkel along the rocky shorelines. We can also observe a colony of fur seals.

Group of Tourists

DAY 3

Rabida Island & Bartolome Island

Rabida Island
The walk here will bring guests close to Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

Bartolome Island
Today’s afternoon activities begin with a wet landing on the beach. Guests can swim, snorkel, or ride the glass-bottom boat. After returning to the ship, we hike to the top of this island with a fantastic view.

Couple at Rabida Island

DAY 4

Genovesa Island

Prince Philip’s Steps
The morning starts with a climb up a flight of stairs. Once there, you can walk along and spot Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels.

Darwin Bay
In the afternoon, we land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following this, we will walk and observe frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, finches, and mockingbirds.

Sea Lion

DAY 5

Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island

Following a dry landing and a bus ride to the Highlands, guests experience giant tortoises roaming in the wild. These include dense forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids, and several endemic land birds.

Baltra Airport
We will take a transfer vehicle to Baltra airport and say farewell to the Galapagos Islands!

Giant Tortoise

DAY 1

Baltra Island & Mosquera Islet

Upon landing at Baltra Airport in the morning, we transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise and enjoy a satisfying lunch. The excursion to Mosquera Islet consists of a walk along a shallow reef, the perfect nook for young sea lions.

Sea Lion

DAY 2

San Cristobal Island

Located on San Cristobal Island, Punta Pitt is the only site in Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together! At Cerro Colorado, we visit the Breeding Center for Galapagos giant tortoises. This forest is also home to dozens of bird species and the San Cristobal lava lizard!

San Cristobal Island

DAY 3

Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island

On the idyllic white sand beach of Santa Fe, one can spot plenty of sea lions and the endemic land iguana. Activities include snorkeling, swimming, boarding the glass-bottom boat, and kayaking. On South Plaza, the wildlife includes yellow-grey land iguanas, sea lions, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters.

Santa Fe Island

DAY 4

Santa Cruz Island

The Charles Darwin Research Station consists of a giant tortoise breeding center. It’s home to the administration of scientific investigation and conservation efforts in the Galapagos National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll have several options to choose from before returning to Puerto Ayora to board the ship again.

Biking

DAY 5

Española Island

During our walk at Punta Suarez, we will see Galapagos albatross, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Guests will also experience the Galapagos’ famous “blowhole” geological phenomenon. In the afternoon, the beach of Gardner Bay is perfect for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches.

Kayaking

DAY 6

Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island

At Eden Islet on Santa Cruz Island, we can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds. At North Seymour, we can watch as bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, two species of frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls all fly around. We also get the chance to observe sea lions and marine iguanas up close.

Blue-Footed Booby

DAY 7

Baltra Island

Baltra Island On the last day, you’ll disembark at Baltra Island, take the transfer to the airport, and hop aboard your flight back to the continent.

Iguana

DAY 1

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

You’ll arrive at Baltra Island and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. After an introductory briefing onboard and an emergency drill, you are invited to lunch.

Dragon Hill [Santa Cruz Island]
The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish-water lagoon that ducks and American flamingos frequent. Further inland, the trail offers view of the bay and the western islands.

Sea Lion

DAY 2

Isabela Island & Fernandina Island

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
After breakfast, we will explore the coast by dinghy. This site is also a nesting place for numerous iconic Galapagos species, such as flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Fernandina Island. You will see Galapagos iconic species including sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, and flightless cormorants.

Whale Watching

DAY 3

Santa Cruz Island

Puerto Ayora & the Charles Darwin Research Station
The Station consists of a giant tortoise breeding center and a giant cactus forest. Following this visit, we travel to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island where we will enjoy lunch.

Highlands
You have several options to choose from in the afternoon. At the end of the afternoon’s activities, guests return to Puerto Ayora and hop back aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise.

Giant Tortoise

DAY 4

Floreana Island

Baroness Tower + Post Office Bay
After breakfast, we experience Baroness Cove, and land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that served as a post office. Afterward, we head back aboard for lunch.

Champion Islet + Cormorant Point
An extinct shield volcano that’s regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos Islands. From here, it’s onwards to Cormorant Point, where we can spot American flamingos, pintail ducks, and other birds.

Marine Tortoise

DAY 5

Baltra Island

You will disembark at Baltra Island in order to transfer to the airport to take your flight back to the mainland.

Iguana

VIDEOS

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